News

Compaq fixes iPaq's Bluetooth at last

Compaq has finally released an updater to the 3870 iPAQ in an attempt to fix the notorious instability of the Bluetooth component of this PDA. Problems that have been seen include crashing of the BT stack, inability to start the Bluetooth stack when powering up and so forth.

There is a fix for this now which you can get at: http://www.compaq.com/support/files/handheldiPAQ/us/download/14376.html.

This contains the "iPAQ H3xxx Bluetooth Service Manager Version 1.1 (18 Apr 02)" and applies to the H387X model with integrated Bluetooth functionality and to the Bluetooth Wireless Pack with CF Slot, which is a Bluetooth enabled jacket.

The list of fixes is not short:

- Reduced the radio startup time on a power cycle of the iPAQ.

- Improved reliability of application on repeated power cycles of the iPAQ to prevent system lockup.

- Implemented fixes for compatibility issues with a 3COM BT PC Card and USB Dongle, specifically in the area of Bluetooth ActiveSync connections.

- Implemented fixes for compatibility issues with Digianswer Bluetooth Devices.

- Implemented a fix for bonding with Nokia 6310 BT phone. Failure to bond the phone and iPAQ will no longer require a reset of the iPAQ.

- Corrected ability to send multi-line notes in Task and Calendar items.

- Corrected a lock-up behavior on Device Information screen whenever the mating device is turned off or moved out of range.

- Record application is no longer interrupted when the iPAQ is turned on via Voice Record button and the Bluetooth Security Manager is loaded.

- Corrected issue with keyboard remaining active after a passkey is intentionally rejected.

- Corrected the time zone indicator setting when transferring Calendar items to a PC running Outlook.

There are a number of enhancements too:

- Additional support for re-occurring calendar, task and all day event appointments.

- Automatic update of saved device name changes.

- Business card transfers with the same name as an existing business card saved on the iPAQ will no longer over-write existing business card. A new contact will be created.

- File selection for a file transfer has been improved to allow all sub directories under My Documents folder to be viewed.

- When a new devices with support for DUN initiates a successful bond with the iPAQ, it will be saved in the default All Devices folder and be made default DUN connection if no other DUN device has been previously saved and made default DUN connection in All Devices group.

- When Bluetooth Radio is turned off, the BTM menu icon on Today screen will gray out menu items not selectable.

- New icons added for Camera, Display, Scanner and Printer devices.

- Improved behavior and enhanced messages for events such as jacket removal, attempting to start Bluetooth Manager when no hardware is present or radio is off, unable to load Bluetooth Stack due to memory limitations, etc.

- Several improvements in the installation and un-installation of Bluetooth Manager. Ability to uninstall without connecting to PC.

Installation is not all plain sailing, however. I installed it onto my normal 3870 device with no problems, but collegues have reported issues if the 3870 has a CF sleeve attached. It appears that the updater application is a bit dim, and assume that you have the BT jacket version if you have any jacket fitted to the 3870. And thus attempts to install into the wrong place for the wrong hardware. The workaround is simple -- go to a naked 3870 before attempting the upgrade.

Its too soon to know whether this update fixes the problems that we have seen. However, we have high hopes that this will inject a level of stability into important capabilities within this product.